Sometimes we meet a couple and notice right away how very beloved they seem to be by friends and family. Usually when that happens by the end of the day we also end up thinking the couple is the just the greatest and that is just what happened with Shannon and Jeff. I loved receiving Shannon’s emails and almost don’t want to send off the photographs because then she will have no reason to email! The ceremony was held on the lawn of the Hilton Cancun which overlooks the ocean. By some miracle it rained on the golf course which is just across the road and not one drop on the wedding! It was truly a beautiful day. And a great party!

The “first look”, i would recommend this to anyone getting married, I loved the portraits of Shannon and Jeff taken before the cermony.

A few details from this destination wedding.

The ceremony was beautiful and I was so appreciative of Shannon’s videographer, who was considerate and non obtrusive enough to film from behind the last row of guests. This makes such a huge difference in the photographs, I think the photograph below would NOT be the same with a videographer standing front and center next to the best man, between the bride and groom or in the center of the aisle as is so often the way at destination weddings.

The reception was held in one of the Hilton’s ballrooms. I guess it should come as no surprise that the banquet service was fantastic.

The first dance…

A funny toast…

And a great party. DJ Mannia really knows how the crowd moving, but I think this group did not really need much encouragement!

Cancun, Mexico wedding photojournalism by destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Here we go, as promised I will be updating this blog often over the next weeks, so please be sure to scroll down so you don’t miss any amazing weddings! Rachel and Aaron’s destination wedding in Cancun…what can I say? This was a beautiful couple in every way, such a pleasure to photograph together as they experienced their day. The ceremony was held on the beach of the brand new Excellence Playa Mujeres, which is outside Cancun. It was a very emotional (somehow Rachel seemed to manage to laugh and cry at the same time!) and very joyous ceremony. Basically it was a perfect day and a real treat for the photographers.

The bride and groom had a fantastic suite with a private deck terrace overlooking the ocean, it was a wonderful spot to meet before the ceremony.

Recognize these two? We met when I photographed their Cancun wedding in late August. It was great to hang out with them again at this wedding…hopefully next time they come to Mexico it will be to Merida! Although I will have to make Reggie promise to stop stealing my thunder with his fast photo delivery.

Rachel entered the ceremony on both parent’s arms.

I loved this photograph of Aaron waiting at the “altar”.

Yes, I have said it before and I will say it again, destination weddings are the BEST! What a blessing to be able to tell the story of such a happy day!

Wedding photography in Cancun, Mexico byt destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Its always fun to photograph a great celebration! Kim and Reggie’s wedding was the first time I had ever been to the Hilton in Cancun. It is a great hotel, I loved the view and the relaxing atmosphere. The wedding itself  was planned to be very special. In addition to the Cancun Hilton’s dedicated wedding planner, Jessica Parra, Kim and Reggie had a great wedding coordinator who travelled with them to Mexico, Candice Smith from Something Blue Events and there seemed to be all kinds of neat details everywhere I looked and never a slow moment. The weather was kind of touch and go for a while (hurricane Gustav was passing by out at sea on its way to cause so much trouble in the US) but Kim and Reggie were able to have the ceremony as planned overlooking the Cancun ocean. Hooray!

Reggie and Kim, You were a blast to photograph I look forward to seeing you both again in November!

I have never seen a bride shed more happy tears on one day! And with very good cause. Reggie had a way of going the extra mile to give Kim the most lovely surprises, cards and speeches, thank goodness for waterproof mascara! She had finally dried her eyes from Reggie’s multiple gifts and when her mom presented Kim with mementos from her childhood, more tears!

Wow! Things were running a little late after all those tears, but I know I would not forgive myself if I didn’t push the pause button for just a moment to capture portraits of the radiant bride.

A few photographs from the ceremony…

And some happy photographs of the newly married couple.

I thought this was one of the most beautiful cakes I have seen!

A bit of reception decor in the Cancun Hilton ballroom.

Reggie and Kim’s first dance.

Reggie went after the garter and came out with this “private property” sign!

speeches…

I don’t remember what the groom was reading but I do know that more tears were the result!

Blog readers will see more of the smiling faces below very soon when I shoot their Cancun wedding in November! Thanks so much Rachel and Aaron for spreading the word!

Cancun photographer Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photography in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Isla Mujeres, Guanajuato and Los Cabos.

Bobbie and Frank had a beautiful wedding! The Dream Cancun is located right in the heart of the Cancun hotel zone, in an incredible spot, the wedding gazebo actually sits on a little peninsula, surrounded by the bluest water ever. It was a very warm but beautiful clear day, perfect for the marriage of such a sweet couple.Thank you Bobbie and Frank, you are a delightful couple! I hope you enjoy your photographs as much as I have!

I loved Bobbie’s starfish theme.

A few getting ready and detail photos…

The view of the wedding gazebo set up from the tower.

I love how Lindsey composed this next one.

Bobbie, here’s palm tree…I told you it was a little “untraditional!

A relaxed portrait of the groom.

And one of the bride.

The flower girl took over the veil after the ceremony! She was so much fun the whole day!

Fortunately it cooled off after the sun went down. At this wedding absolutely everyone had a great time dancing!

Cancun photographer Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism in Mexico. She photographs a limited number of destination weddings in Cancun, Maya Riviera, Yucatan, Tulum, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.  Visit www.elizabethmedina.com to view more of her wedding photography portfolio.

What could be more beautiful than a ceremony at ocean side on a sunny summer day in Cancun? Emily and Mathew were married surrounded by family and friends. There was so much happiness and all around good vibes or “buena vibra” as we say here in Mexico! The water could not have been more turquoise, which really set off the bright red and orange flowers, what a delicious combination. I think I may have said it before but there is NOTHING like experiencing a wedding with a fresh breeze and your toes in the sand! Destination weddings are the most intimate, fun celebrations imaginable and I was happy to witness such a nice couple as Emily and Mathew at the center of such a special occasion. Gracias!

I would have to say that the JW Marriott and Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun is one of my favorite wedding locations. Josefina Luna and the whole crew just seem to do a very professional job of planning and making the events run smoothly, that makes them especially fun to photograph!

Getting ready time…I have noticed that these blue boxes seem to make for happy people.

Emily was so happy all day, but I really liked the serious photographs as well.

Time for the ceremony…I love the beautiful flower details on the white Tiffany chairs.

Seriously, destination weddings are the best

Emily’s sister as Emily entered on her father’s arm.

For those not familiar, the sand ceremony is the beach equivalent of the unity candle.

Mathew and his groomsmen…

Emily, with her adorable flower girl and bridesmaids…

I love it when the bridal party is introduced and enters the reception with “style”, these two made a great entrance.

Panoramic view of the reception at the JW Marriott in Cancun.

Emily goofing around!

Cancun wedding photography by destination wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina. Elizabeth photographs weddings throughout Mexico. JW Marriott, Marriott Casa Magna, Cancun, Mexico.

What a beautiful day! It was so enjoyable to photograph this adorable (I don’t use that word very often…but they really are an adorable couple!) having such a splendid time with the very diverse group of family and friends that had traveled so far to be part of the day. A much as I enjoyed capturing and putting together the collection of images to tell the story of the day I am also really looking forward to designing the wedding album, it is so wonderful to compile the images of such an important event into a tangible piece of family history.

Darlene and Manoj’ wedding was the third I have photographed at the JW Marriott and I have to say it has become one of my favorite wedding locations. There are several different spaces that can be used throughout the hotel grounds, including the gazebo which is authorized to hold a Catholic mass, so each event seems to be different. The coordinator, Francisco Roman, seems to do such a nice job of keeping everything flowing. I think the gazebo with its ocean view is really special…and of course that amazing turquoise Cancun water, WOW!

The only thing that was a little sad for me is knowing that this was the final wedding that my photographer friend Grace Kim from Seattle accompanied me to as a “second shooter”, I loved having her help and knew I would really miss her when I looked over at one point and saw her carrying, in additional to her own gear almost all of mine! Grace is not a very large person so it just looked like a mountain of equipment walking along! I guess I had been so intent on the photographs I was taking that I just left everything behind! Thank you so much Grace it was amazing to have you here! I hope some day for the chance to repay the favor!

I thought the bridesmaid’s dresses were really special, it turned out that a very talented bride’s maid had actually made them herself!

Darelene’s mother placed the finishing touches on the veil.

I think this “grab” shot looks almost posed, I think that they were all standing in a strip of shade about 6 inches wide waiting for the ceremony to begin.

A few images from the Catholic ceremony in the gazebo.

The ring bearer was very serious and did an excellent job.

Grace caught this great moment right after the kiss.

This one is for Darlene…

After the ceremony we were able to do some photography on the beach.

The reception was set up poolside right in front of the ocean, this is just a little detail from the table decoration.

Darlene “escaped” from the reception for a couple of pictures.

The toasts had everyone laughing and crying and then laughing again!

Father daughter dance.

Ok…this crowd know how to dance!

Wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina photographs destination weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and throughout Mexico.